Mallory Fulmer

As we move through the 2025–2026 4-H year, it’s been exciting to look back at just how much our Newberry County 4-H’ers have already accomplished. With 123 members currently enrolled, our clubs have been busy meeting monthly, learning new skills, and building friendships that extend far beyond the meeting room.

Our Teen Council has been especially active this year, giving back to the community in meaningful ways. Members had a blast passing out candy at the Newberry Health Truck or Treat, spreading smiles and sweet treats to families across the county. Teen Council members also participated in a self-defense class, building confidence and learning important personal safety skills. In addition, all Newberry County 4-H members helped spread holiday cheer by participating in the Prosperity Christmas Parade, proudly representing 4-H and celebrating the season together.

We also kicked off 2026 with a special New Year’s Camp, where 4-H’ers learned about traditions and superstitions from around the world while reflecting on personal goals for the year ahead. It was a fun and thoughtful way to ring in the new year, encouraging youth to dream big and set intentions for what’s next.

With strong participation, growing membership, and plenty of laughter along the way, this 4-H year is already shaping up to be one to remember.

Mallory Fulmer

While we’re proud of everything accomplished so far, the best is still ahead for Newberry County 4-H. With four more months of club meetings, plus spring break adventures and summer camps on the horizon, our 4-H calendar is packed with opportunities to learn and explore.

Spring Break will bring three exciting camps for our 4-H’ers. Forged in 4-H will offer a unique blacksmithing day camp experience, where participants can learn about metalworking, tools, and craftsmanship in a hands-on setting. Our Spring Farm Tour Camp will take youth around Newberry County to visit local farms, giving them a closer look at agriculture right in their own community. We’ll also host a Cake Decorating Camp, featuring a local baker who will teach participants creative icing techniques and decorating skills sure to impress.

Looking beyond spring break, we’re gearing up for even more statewide opportunities. Some of our junior 4-H’ers will attend SC 4-H Junior Weekend this spring, while our Teen Council seniors are already looking forward to SC 4-H Congress in July. We’re also excited to support a senior team of 4-H’ers at the Cooking: Life, a Chef Summit, where youth can showcase their skills and teamwork.

This spring, 4-H youth will also attend SC 4-H Legislative Day, where they will have the opportunity to connect with legislators and advocate for what 4-H means to them and their communities.

Behind the scenes, spring is also the busiest time of year for school programming. From February through May, 48 teachers across Newberry County will participate in the 4-H Embryology Project. Students will get an up-close look at the life cycle of a chick, from egg to hatch, creating unforgettable learning experiences in classrooms across the county.

Summer camps will be announced closer to mid-April, and we can’t wait to share what’s in store. From clubs and camps to statewide events and school programs, Newberry County 4-H is heading into a season full of learning, leadership, and fun — and we’re just getting started.

PCAG

Cherokee County Poultry & Rabbit Show

Kids Club

Homeschool Club

Homeschool Club practices bridge building for the SC 4-H Engineering Challenge

Sewing Club

Clovers in the Kitchen Cooking Club

Down on the Farm Day

Cherokee Charter Academy 4-H Club

4-H Teen Council

Laura Haddon
4-H Agent
Spartanburg County

One of the four H’s in 4-H stands for “Hands to Larger Service”.  Spartanburg 4-H members, parents and volunteers stay busy serving our local community throughout the year.

Our youth have a sweet friendship with the residents at Restoration Senior Living.  Teen Council can be found there several evenings throughout the year playing an exciting game of BINGO.  A Gingerbread House competition has become an annual holiday tradition of our Homeschool Club.  They bring the supplies, construct the houses on site, much to the residents’ enjoyment, and then the residents pick the winners!  Other youth have planted a pollinator garden and enjoyed a “Slip and Slide” event to cool off during the summer months.

In addition to serving the older members of our community, Spartanburg 4-H collects hygiene supplies for the Miracle Hill Rescue Mission in Spartanburg.  Our youth collect individual supplies and pack them into gallon-sized resealable bags and include an encouraging note to the recipients.

As the Spartanburg 4-H Agent, I get to observe this kindness, compassion, and generosity up close and am blown away by how eager our youth are to help their neighbors and keep their pledge to use their hands for larger service!

Haven Blackwell
4-H Youth & Development Agent
Cherokee County

The Cherokee Charter Academy 4-H Club continues to demonstrate what it truly means to pledge “hands to larger service.” Throughout this school year, members have actively participated in a variety of meaningful and educational experiences, including submitting entries to the fair, exploring the art and science of beekeeping, marching in local parades, and serving their community through hands-on projects.

One standout example of leadership came from 4-H’er Tristan Wilkinson, who took initiative by writing to his school’s administration to propose hosting a food drive and organizing a Thanksgiving meal for school families. Inspired by his idea, the administration partnered with the 4-H club to bring the vision to life. Together, they organized a food drive, packed bags of groceries for families in need, and prepared a Thanksgiving meal for those who may not have otherwise had one. We are incredibly proud of Tristan for his courage and leadership, and of the entire club for stepping up to serve in such a meaningful way.

The momentum doesn’t stop there. The Cherokee Charter Academy 4-H Club still has a full semester of exciting activities ahead. Members are looking forward to visiting the Gaffney Visitor’s Center, attending South Carolina 4-H Legislative Day, building birdhouses for a local senior home, going fishing, participating in a farm tour, and wrapping up the semester with a family picnic.

Through leadership, service, and hands-on learning, these 4-H’ers continue to grow as confident, capable young leaders in our community. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next!

If you are interested in starting a 4-H club at your school, please contact Haven Blackwell at daynab@clemson.edu or (864) 649-8252 for more information.

Once again Union 4-H had the opportunity to participate at The Grand American, in Orangeburg, SC.  The Grand American is one of the nations largest wild racoon hunting competitions. This event has been held for over 50 years and is a mainstay in the competition hunting community. People from across the nation will come to meet old friends, purchase supplies from vendors, find a new puppy, talk with sales representatives, and of course compete.  Over 20,000 visitors will enjoy the festivities over a two-day period, which is always the first weekend in January.  What a way to kick off the new year.  This is the third year Union 4-H has been invited to participate with it’s Forged in 4-H blacksmithing and shooting sports program.  This is a great opportunity to promote 4-H, interact with kids and parents, and put Union 4-H’ers on display as they do blacksmithing demonstrations.  These are long, and tiring days but they are also fun and extremely rewarding. It is a great way to get 4-H, Clemson Extension, and Union County in the public view in a positive way.  We look forward to next years trip to The Grand American.  

By: Andrew Jeffers, Greenville County Horticulture Agent

Greenville County Extension is excited to announce a new partnership with the Greenville State Farmers Market, strengthening opportunities for agricultural education, horticulture outreach, and community engagement in Greenville County.

This partnership creates a shared space where Extension programming and the Farmers Market’s mission intersect—connecting residents with practical, research-based information while supporting local agriculture and green industry professionals.

Through this collaboration, Drew Jeffers, Horticulture Agent for Greenville County, will work with market leadership to deliver educational workshops, demonstrations, and trainings that serve homeowners, Master Gardeners, landscapers, growers, and the general public. Planned programming will focus on topics such as urban tree care, sustainable landscaping, pest management, seasonal gardening practices, and homeowner horticulture education.

In addition, Amie Mabe, 4-H Agent for Greenville County, is actively planning youth-focused programs at the Farmers Market that will support agricultural literacy, hands-on learning, and community engagement. These efforts will expand opportunities for young people to connect with food systems, horticulture, and environmental stewardship in a highly visible public setting.

Other Greenville County Extension agents are also exploring the possibility of scheduling future programs and workshops at the Farmers Market, reflecting a broader interest in using the site as a hub for Extension education across program areas.

The Greenville State Farmers Market provides an accessible, high-traffic location that attracts a diverse audience—from experienced growers to first-time gardeners. Hosting Extension programs at the market allows education to meet people where they already gather, reinforcing Extension’s role as a trusted source of science-based information.

By combining Extension expertise with the Farmers Market’s strong community presence, this partnership enhances Greenville County’s capacity to promote sustainable practices, informed decision-making, and long-term stewardship of landscapes and natural resources.

Details on upcoming programs and events hosted through this partnership will be announced in future newsletters and through Greenville County Extension communication channels.

For more information on Extension programs and educational opportunities, contact Greenville County Extension.

By: Amie Mabe, Greenville County 4-H Agent

This past fall introduced a new 4-H tradition in Greenville County. Fall Contests were hosted at the Greenville Extension office on December 11^th, 2025, with three exhibits- Table Setting, Brown Bag Lunch, and Presentations.

Table Setting is open to 4-H members of any age to design a stunning place setting for one, using any theme they can dream up, from garden parties to patriotic holidays. With judging done interview-style, they get to share their inspiration, menu, and design choices face-to-face. The Brown Bag Contest blends nutrition and creativity in an exciting challenge open to all 4-H members. Participants bring a homemade meal packed in a classic brown bag or lunch bag that follows MyPlate guidelines, with just one store-bought item allowed. 4-H’ers present their meal while sharing its nutritional value and why it’s a balanced choice.

Lastly, the Presentation contest enables members to share their passion through an illustrated talk or demonstration on a topic from any 4-H project area- like agriculture, STEM, healthy living, or leadership.

Each contest had 7 youth participants, aged 5 to 18. With a wide age range also came a wide range of styles and topics. These contests ask youth to flex their knowledge, creativity, and decision-making skills, making each entry unique while exhibiting the National 4-H Beyond Ready theme. Judging for these contests was a collaborative effort among several community partners, including Lauren Couchois from School Food Rocks, Dorien Dickey from Launch GVL, and Rushawnda Olden from the SC 4-H Pinckney Leadership program.

Before the Fall Contests, Greenville 4-H hosted a clinic day to instruct in each exhibit area and gave members a place to practice these skills before deciding to register. Attending the clinic also granted free registration to the Fall Contest. But for those who specifically participated in the presentation contest, this also meant free registration to the regional presentation contest. For Junior 4-H member Juliette Johnson, her participation in Greenville’s Fall Contests led her to receive 2nd place in the Upstate Regional 4-H Presentation Contest. It later led her to compete at the state competition in Columbia, her first state contest of what she hopes to be many.

Those interested in participating in the future should subscribe to the Greenville 4-H newsletter and follow the Greenville 4-H Facebook page to get the latest news on upcoming 4-H youth programming.